Take advantage of a little extra time this summer and do these three things to help improve your sports performance this summer. Oh the start of summer… High school students everywhere have been dreaming about everything they want to do over the next couple months. You know, like build an energy efficient tree fort, get … Read More
So You Wanna Swing?
Qualify. Pattern. Grind. Practice/train. When it comes to exercise selection, you would think that common sense would go a long way. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Let me start with this. If an athlete is constantly getting injured due to workouts with his/her strength coach, the athlete should fire the coach immediately. Strength coaches should help you … Read More
Core Training Exercises for MMA
If you know anything about contact sports, you probably agree that having a strong mid-section is not a terrible thing. Core strength is a must in MMA and coaches and athletes all agree that your core cannot be too strong. Here are my favorite core training exercises for fighters. These specific drills are high-tension drills. Be careful … Read More
Our New Website is Live!
We’re happy to announce that our new website is live!!!! We’re making some pretty awesome changes at Skill of Strength, our gym in Chelmsford, MA, this summer and we want you to be a part of it. See what’s new at Skill of Strength including: Improved membership options for adults! Our MOVE. group training program … Read More
Keep the Goal the Goal – Strength Development
What’s your goal? What qualities are you trying to improve? Do you have smart progressions in your programs? What about de-loads? In my humble opinion, you should have a sound logical reason for everything you do. Remember, success leaves clues and it’s not necessary to re-invent the strength and conditioning wheel. If you read a … Read More
Relax and Win
Do not be tense, just be ready, not thinking but not dreaming, not being set but being flexible. It is being “wholly” and quietly alive, aware and alert, ready for whatever may come. -Bruce Lee Just like strength, relaxation is a skill. It’s a vital skill that is vastly overlooked in the strength and conditioning … Read More
Three Tips to Improve Your Bench Press
WHAT CAN YOU BENCH, DUDE? For high school athletes bench press is king. It’s what separates the alpha male from the rest of lifters in the gym. If you want to talk about deadlift or squat records you can go play with the rest of the betas getting tangled up in the resistance bands. I … Read More
Top 5 Grip Training Exercises for MMA
A few fighters and Strength Coaches have asked me the following question recently. “What are the best “bang for your buck” exercises for fighters. My answer(s) are always the same: Grip work Core work Posterior chain strength I realize these answers are pretty vague, but these types of exercises are vital for fighters looking to improve their fight game. … Read More
The Post-Fight Training Block
You just finished a fight…what’s next? What changes will you make? Do you have strength and conditioning game plan? Should you jump into the same old routine? Are you planning to start another strength cycle? Is your goal conditioning-based? What qualities are you trying to develop? If you are planning on fighting in another 12 … Read More
Six Week Simple Strength Program for MMA Fighters
I am a big fan of simple. It’s taken me over 10 years to figure out that the most effective strength training programs are the often the least complex. Either I am a slow learner, I am stubborn, or I am just not the brightest bulb on the tree, but I’ve finally figured out that simple … Read More